Guilty Verdict on Murder Case

August 22, 2018

SANTA MONICA, CA - On August 21, 2018, following a jury trial, Sherwin Mendoza Espinosa, a 43 year-old male from Los Angeles, was found guilty of 2nd degree murder and the use of a firearm for the murder of Juan Sebastian Castillo. This case was prosecuted by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.

Sherwin Espinosa is scheduled for sentencing on October 12, 2018 at the Los Angeles County Superior Court, Airport Branch - Case SA095642. Espinosa is facing 40 years to life in state prison.

On February 26, 2017 at about 5:08 a.m., victim Juan Castillo, an 18-year old male, was found deceased in the 1300 block of 16th Street with a single gunshot wound to the head. Through an extensive and thorough investigation conducted by the Santa Monica Police Department, it was determined that Juan Castillo’s death was related to an earlier shooting that occurred at about 12:45 a.m. on February 26, 2017 in the 2100 block of Pico Boulevard. After several months of investigation, Sherwin Espinosa was arrested on May 19, 2017.

Any further inquiries should be directed to the Los Angeles County District Attorney Public Information Officer, Ricardo Santiago, at 213-257-2000 or at Rsantiago@da.lacounty.gov.